Why we undertake this project
Until the beginning of the 1990s in Albania (ALB), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) and Montenegro (MNE) the universities had close cooperation with the industry, taking the position of main development partners and innovation enablers.
During the turbulent 1990s and the transformation of the socioeconomic systems, these links were cut. Twenty years later, in the contemporary free and globalized market conditions, there is lack of experience for establishing sustainable university – enterprise cooperation in each of the targeted countries.
Three issues were identified as the main reasons for the lack of cooperation:
- lack of awareness about the universities’ capacities;
- bureaucratic burden resulting from the absence of a one-stop-shop (focal point) and of defined instruments and tools that can be provided; as well as
- lack of infrastructure (especially equipment) at the universities.
This project tackles the lack of systematic and sustainable cooperation between universities and economy in ALB, BIH and MNE.
Aims and objectives
This project has been designed to respond most adequately to the specific needs and problems in the partner countries. Commercialization Hubs will be developed at all participating universities not as research centers, but as interfaces between higher education institutions and enterprises and society. These Hubs will attract enterprises, especially start-ups and SMEs, to the universities because of the knowledge and skills of their staff (professors and students) as well as the valuable technology that they will possess.
Besides, the Commercialisation Hubs will enhance participation of the universities in international projects and programs, detection and valorization of research results, creating strategic relationships with industry, liaisons and relations with potential sponsors.
Target group
KnowHub is responding to the regional, national and local needs for the establishment and strengthening of the link between the higher education institutions and economy.
Knowhub will target:
- Enterprises with developmental goals and inspiration, but lack of knowledge and infrastructure in Albania, BiH, and Montenegro.
- Business development associations, government bodies, such as Chambers of Commerce, Ministries, Governmental Agencies, etc. in Albania, BiH, and Montenegro
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Students, academic staff and management from the:
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European University in Tirana,
- University of Vlora,
- University of Sarajevo,
- University of Mostar,
- University of Montenegro.